Exchanging a foreign driving licence

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Qué encontrará en esta página

• A document list
• Population registry office appointment and application steps
• Translation and certification (notary or consulate) needs

The checklist and guide shown on this page, which you can print from your browser. No completed official form, personalised petition or assessment is produced.

Documentos necesarios

1. Original foreign driving licence and a colour photocopy

   Dónde obtenerlo: The foreign authority that issued the licence. This is the foreign licence you already hold. The NVI document list asks for the original and a colour photocopy; under the instruction, a colour copy is taken and the original is returned to the applicant.

   Formato: Original card + colour photocopy

2. Turkish translation of the foreign licence, certified by a notary or a consulate

   Dónde obtenerlo: Notary or consulate (certification). The NVI document list requires the translation to be certified by a notary or a consulate. The official lists do not say who must produce the translation itself.

   Formato: Certified translation in Turkish

3. Identity document

   Dónde obtenerlo: The authority that issued it (for example, the passport-issuing state). The NVI instruction's definition of 'kimlik belgesi' includes the passport. The definition does not separately list which identity documents are accepted for foreign nationals.

   Formato: Original (presented in person)

4. Driver's health report (sürücü sağlık raporu)

   Dónde obtenerlo: Health facilities authorised by the Ministry of Health. According to the NVI FAQ page, health reports are obtained from health facilities authorised by the Ministry of Health. The instruction says the examination is done by a physician at Ministry or university health facilities, family health centres and private facilities licensed by the Ministry. This guide does not interpret the content of any report.

   Formato: Health report with the physician's stamp and signature; unless the report states another period, treated as valid for 2 years from its date

5. Biometric photograph (1)

   Dónde obtenerlo: Wherever the photo is taken (criteria are set in the NVI instruction). The photo must be biometric and taken to ICAO standards within the last six months; photocopied, computer-duplicated or non-biometric photos are not accepted.

   Formato: Printed biometric photo

6. Document or statement showing blood group

   Dónde obtenerlo: The health facility issuing a blood-group document, or the applicant's own statement. Under the instruction, the blood-group information is taken from the health report; if it is not on the report, a document showing blood group or the applicant's statement is used. The NVI FAQ page says 'document or written statement'.

   Formato: Document or oral/written statement

7. Education document (with a notary-certified translation if issued abroad)

   Dónde obtenerlo: The educational institution that issued it. The NVI document list for exchanging a foreign licence includes an education document, with a notary-certified translation of any document obtained abroad. The instruction also says the education record is checked electronically; how this applies to foreign applicants is not spelled out on the official pages.

   Formato: Document; notary-certified Turkish translation for a foreign one

8. Criminal record certificate (checked electronically by the office)

   Dónde obtenerlo: Ministry of Justice system (queried by the population office). The NVI FAQ page notes that this item 'is checked electronically from the system'; under the instruction it is obtained or checked electronically from the Ministry of Justice system.

   Formato: Electronic check (a paper copy is not listed as required)

9. Payment of the licence fee (harç), valuable-paper charge and foundation share (receipt)

   Dónde obtenerlo: Contracted banks / banks authorised to collect tax; accounts of the Turkish Police Organisation Strengthening Foundation. Current amounts and payment channels are shown under 'Sürücü Belgesi Harç, Değerli Kağıt ve Vakıf Ücretleri' at randevu.nvi.gov.tr/pages/applicationprices. The office checks payment electronically; if it cannot, the original receipt is requested.

   Formato: Payment receipt (checked electronically)

Pasos

1. Read the official pages yourself to see whether the country that issued your licence is covered by the exchange rules. Article 20 of the NVI instruction deals with this: the general provision says foreign licences from countries that are neither party to the Road Traffic Convention nor covered by a bilateral agreement are not exchanged, while the provision specific to foreigners states that licences from countries with a bilateral agreement are exchanged according to the reciprocity table. Temporary foreign licences and international driving permits are not exchanged either. Bilateral agreements are listed on NVI's page 'Sürücü Belgelerinin Karşılıklı Tanınmasına İlişkin İkili Anlaşmalar'. The population office decides on your application whether your licence is exchanged; this guide does not assess your country's position.
2. Note your date of entry into Türkiye. Under Article 88 of the Road Traffic Regulation, foreign nationals may drive with a licence issued abroad for at most six months from the date of entry; after six months, exchanging it for a Turkish licence is mandatory in order to keep driving.
3. Prepare the original of your foreign licence and a colour photocopy, and have its Turkish translation certified by a notary or a consulate.
4. Obtain the driver's health report from a health facility authorised by the Ministry of Health. Unless the report states another period, it is treated as valid for 2 years from its date. This guide does not interpret the content of the report.
5. Prepare your identity document (the instruction's definition includes the passport), one biometric photo taken to ICAO standards within the last six months, a blood-group document or statement, and the education document named in the official list (with a notary-certified translation if issued abroad).
6. See the current amounts for the fee (harç), valuable-paper charge and foundation share at randevu.nvi.gov.tr/pages/applicationprices, make the payment yourself through the channels shown there, and keep the receipt.
7. If you wish, book the appointment yourself: driving-licence appointments can be made through randevu.nvi.gov.tr, e-Devlet, NVİ Mobil, Nüfusmatik or Alo 199. Log in to e-Devlet only yourself and never share your password or codes with anyone. The instruction also says the application may be made at the population office with an appointment or without one. Practice can differ by province and office; check the practice of the population office you will go to before applying.
8. Apply in person, with your documents, at any authorised population office. At the application, fingerprints and a signature are taken, the photo is scanned and the documents are checked; a colour copy of the foreign licence is taken and the original is returned to you.
9. Track your application through randevu.nvi.gov.tr, e-Devlet, NVİ Mobil or Alo 199. In the cases it specifies, the NVİ instruction provides for the following; ask the population office whether they apply to your own application: the licence's authenticity may be confirmed through the Turkish mission in the issuing country; once the application is complete, a temporary document is issued until the new licence is delivered (the instruction states 15 days of validity); the exchanged foreign licence is sent to the country that issued it; and the code 'Ticari Araç Kullanamaz' (may not drive commercial vehicles) may be entered on a Turkish licence issued to a foreign national.

Tasas y citas

A fee exists: the licence fee (harç), a valuable-paper charge and a foundation share are paid. Current amounts can change every year and are not stated in this guide. See the amounts and payment channels under 'Sürücü Belgesi Harç, Değerli Kağıt ve Vakıf Ücretleri' at randevu.nvi.gov.tr/pages/applicationprices. That page does not separately say which amount applies to an exchange application. Appointments: according to the NVI FAQ page, driving-licence appointments can be made through randevu.nvi.gov.tr, e-Devlet, NVİ Mobil, Nüfusmatik or Alo 199; the instruction also says the application may be made without an appointment. The application is made in person.

Cuándo acudir a un abogado

If your licence was seized, you received a traffic fine, or you wish to challenge an administrative sanction, seek help from a lawyer. You may contact the bar association in your province or its legal aid office.

Sus datos y cuánto tiempo se conservan

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